Accurate antenna gain estimation using the two-antenna method

Abstract

This paper demonstrates a simulation-assisted measurement technique to determine the gain of an antenna accurately in an open test site or anechoic chamber. The proposed technique is based on the two-antenna gain measurement method using Friis equation in far-field free-space conditions, with the actual measurement test setup modelled in CST Studio Suite for simulation. An LTE-reject UHF TV log-periodic dipole antenna is used to validate the gain measurement technique in this paper. The simulation of the two-antenna gain measurement method is used in order to estimate an appropriate minimum separation distance between the two antennas that needs to be used for actual measurements to ensure far-field free-space conditions. Determining this minimum separation distance using several simulations instead of actual measurements saves time and effort because it eliminates the need to perform measurements at various separation distances. The measured realized gain obtained using this technique provides a good agreement with the simulation and thus validates the accuracy of this technique.